December 11, 2025
After buying this 1950s Cielito house in early 2018 for $3.5 million, Xorin Balbes embarked on a thorough renovation and redecoration—but without changing the footprint. Now he has listed it for just under $9 million. The house is certainly something to see....
August 26, 2019
In other recent news: Restaurateur James Sly has died; Laura Capps will run against Das Williams for county supervisor; Southern California Edison's fire mitigation efforts; Carpinteria moves to acquire the Rincon Bluffs Preserve.
The Castle in the Sky has personality to burn—along with a swimming pool moat, hot tub grotto, circular platform bed, and helipad, complete with hangar.
August 24, 2019
Plus: The French Press has officially changed its name; Giovanni's Pizza is down to just one location; Viva to become Eleven 14; Mosto Crudo has rebranded; Sama Sama Kitchen is partnering on an endeavor in Los Alamos.
August 23, 2019
"We're vibing off of In-N-Out," says Low Pigeon co-founder Dennis Medina, explaining the menu's tight focus. "We want you to know that the is coffee always on point." 3
August 22, 2019
And in other local news: Updated debris flow risk map should be out in October; the growing problem of homeowners unable to get insurance; strip mall to be redone before Sprouts's arrival; bike paths, crosswalks, and roundabouts planned for Cliff Drive; new closing time for city parks; parking in Montecito; missile testing from San Nicolas Island.
It has all the amenities of a small hotel, including a screening room, bar, gym, tennis court, and 11 fireplaces, not to mention one of the most decadent lawns this side of Oprah Winfrey's compound.
Plus: The two other traffic circles that might follow—one at San Ysidro Road and the 101, and another at E. Cabrillo and Los Patos Way.
August 21, 2019
Plus: Embermill restaurant opens this Friday; Bristol Farms, another Mesa Burger, and a French bakery on the horizon; La Michoacána is selling frozen treats; Hoffman Brat Haus is closing; Eleven 14 opening on State Street.
And in other recent local news: A reprieve for Institution Ale's neon sign; initiative to protect whales from ships; West Beach hotel gets nixed; an urge to merge Montecito's special districts; Styrofoam recycling; Montecito road repairs; library plaza renovation update.
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That 5% would go to all employees proportionate to their hours I would presume compared to tips where more skilled staff take a higher percentage,… — Don
Geo , you know absolutely nothing about the restaurant business. — Roy
What if, and bear with me here because this is complicated, restaurants just paid their staff normally and charged prices that reflected those expenses, i.e.… — Rich
Little Mountain just isn’t organized. Everyone is very nice and the atmosphere stylish, but there is something wrong with it. The food is weird, portions… — Joan
I intensely to test Sur charges for the cost of doing business. Will they give back 5% profits to the patrons when they do extremely… — Geo
Just call it "The Copper" — Bob
The lack of generosity above is truly astonishing. Santa Barbara is an extraordinarily expensive place to live, as we all know. The 5% toward team… — OJ
Extra charges/fees are cash grabs that diminishes the dining experience. Tipping is out of control, then layer in the fees, and I ask myself if… — David
Instant drop to 15% and a comment on the ticket explaining why. Should be illegal for restaurants to create extra charges out of thin air. — Cee Oh
The Copper Coffee Pot name will be the kiss of death unless it’s another breakfast spot. — Cee Oh
Recent Comments
That 5% would go to all employees proportionate to their hours I would presume compared to tips where more skilled staff take a higher percentage,… — Don
Geo , you know absolutely nothing about the restaurant business. — Roy
What if, and bear with me here because this is complicated, restaurants just paid their staff normally and charged prices that reflected those expenses, i.e.… — Rich
Little Mountain just isn’t organized. Everyone is very nice and the atmosphere stylish, but there is something wrong with it. The food is weird, portions… — Joan
I intensely to test Sur charges for the cost of doing business. Will they give back 5% profits to the patrons when they do extremely… — Geo
Just call it "The Copper" — Bob
The lack of generosity above is truly astonishing. Santa Barbara is an extraordinarily expensive place to live, as we all know. The 5% toward team… — OJ
Extra charges/fees are cash grabs that diminishes the dining experience. Tipping is out of control, then layer in the fees, and I ask myself if… — David
Instant drop to 15% and a comment on the ticket explaining why. Should be illegal for restaurants to create extra charges out of thin air. — Cee Oh
The Copper Coffee Pot name will be the kiss of death unless it’s another breakfast spot. — Cee Oh